Building Sustainability into Housing
Richard Baines, Director of Sustainable Development, Black Country Housing Association
Raymond Young, Chair, Architecture and Design Scotland
Sustainable design is a central tenant of 21st Century housing development and regeneration. The effects of climate change are increasingly prominent in the media, and the housing industry is responding through "green design" and the incorporation of alternate energy sources in development and regeneration plans.
Richard Baines suggests the goal for sustainable development is to create housing where people want to live. Housing should improve the quality of life for tenants, and strengthen the environmental, economic, and social pillars of sustainability.
He explained how the Black Country Housing Association had used super-insulation and alternative technologies to cut fuel bills to as little as £1 per day for some tenants. This has dramatically cut fuel poverty and released money for tenants to improve other aspects of their daily lives.
Raymond echoed Richard's sentiments suggesting that Scotland should place the same importance on the green credentials of the built environment as is currently being placed on the natural environment. He also called for more redevelopment to be focussed on thriving communities to sustain their success, meet resident's aspirations and deliver the green agenda.
The speakers agreed that "green design" is not enough on it's own to create sustainable communities. Housing providers must also address the broader challenges in communities such as employment and accessibility if they want to deliver sustainability. They also emphasised the need to recognize the value of existing buildings and their ability to define a community identity.